2018

5 Million Dollars for the YMCA Plusone Mentoring Program

Funding from Public Safety Canada for the school perseverance of young Canadians  

Montréal, January 26, 2018 – During a press conference at the Downtown YMCA, in the presence of Marc Miller, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities and Member of Parliament for Ville-Marie–Le Sud-Ouest–Ile-des-Sœurs, on behalf of the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, and Stéphane Vaillancourt, President and CEO of the YMCAs of Québec, the YMCA officially announced that 5 million dollars in federal funding over 5 years will go towards the national development of the YMCA Plusone Mentoring program, managed by the YMCAs of Québec. 

YMCA Plusone Mentoring provides caring and positive adult role models to 10- to 17-year-olds who are experiencing challenges in their daily lives. Created in 2009 by YMCA Scotland, the YMCA Plusone Mentoring program was named one of the best intervention programs for youth in the UK in 2012. This program was launched in Canada in response to the needs expressed by the community. Thanks to this funding, YMCA Plusone Mentoring has been successfully established in four Canadian communities: Moncton (New Brunswick), Montréal (Québec), Regina (Saskatchewan) and Surrey (British Colombia). We intend on serving more than 700 young people nationally with this unique and innovative program.

Stéphane Vaillancourt, President and CEO of the YMCAs of Québec, stated that he is “very pleased to share with the federal government the YMCA’s vast front-line experience with at-risk youth. When kids come to the Y, it has a huge impact on their success in school, home life and health. It’s about prevention. It’s about keeping kids who are at risk off the streets and encouraging healthy habits through the guidance and personalized support of a mentor. The YMCA Plusone Mentoring program is an established and proven early intervention model. The program demonstrates that the YMCA is a partner of choice engaged in helping young people achieve success and attain their full potential.”

A young participant explains: “Since starting with Plusone, I've gotten into a lot less trouble. I also don't have time because it keeps me so busy!”

YMCA Canada, the YMCAs of Québec and other YMCA beneficiaries would like to thank our fifty or so partners across Canada (schools, social workers, police services, youth organizations, etc.) for helping to establish the program in their community. We would also like to recognize the significant contribution of the Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness for their support and funding for the establishment of the YMCA Plusone Mentoring program in Canada.    

About the YMCAs of Québec
The YMCAs of Québec is a charitable organization that builds stronger communities by providing opportunities for everyone to lead fulfilling, active, healthy and engaged lives. Its 10 YMCA centres, International Language School, Residence, Camp YMCA Kanawana and its 34 service sites across the province are visited each year by more than 115,000 people. The first YMCA in North America was founded in Montréal in November 1851. The YMCAs of Québec is part of the Canadian network of 47 YMCA associations. For more information, visit ymcaquebec.org and our Facebook and Twitter pages.

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